How to train your dog: Working on Barking issue in crate at agility

http://www.pamsdogacademy.com

First, I want to say that Bandit does love his crate. He will just go in his crate when he is tired at home and when we travel he is sound asleep in his crate.

If I could read Bandit's mind, I would say that he barks out of frustration in the crate when at agility. He wants to be out playing on the equipment, swimming, catching frisbee's, etc... He knows that we do fun things at the agility field and he does not want to be in his crate while I am out there walking around. (setting up the field, etc...)

So, instead of just letting him bark; like many do. I decided that I would work on this behavior and slowly build it to where he learns to be quiet and calm in his crate at agility. He is the same way when he is waiting his turn for another dog or Isabelle to run the course. So, you will see in my next video how I have worked on that as well.

The GREAT things about dog is that they teach us how to be patient. Sure I could yell and scream at him to "Be Quiet" like many do, but I do not think that makes the dogs "Be Quiet". I think that it only stresses them out more and we all know how stress effects humans. I am sure that dogs are not any different. If stress keeps continuing on a daily basis there is bound to be some health problems occur. So. I do not believe yelling will solve the issue, but rather make it worse. Have patience with your dog and train him to be calm in those environments that are over stimulating or exciting or that stress him out. Change the emotional response to the stimuli and your dog will be much better off.

The BEST place to practice and to teach your dog to be calm is in your house in a quiet low distraction area. Start with rewarding for calming signals, settling (Kikopup channel has a GREAT video on how to teach a settle), and work on calm walking (loose leash but slower walking). Sometimes when we walk fast it can just get our dogs more worked up. Anyway, that will have to be another video. :) Then once your dog learns what calm is, work on it in other environments that are not distracting or maybe really low level distractions. It will vary depending on the dog and the dogs triggers. Bandit and I have been working on calming for about 6 months before this issue came up.

I believe that Bandit came into my life to train me to be a better trainer! I am thankful everyday for him and love him with all his quirks! Will he ever be perfect? Probably NOT! Do I want him to be a ROBOTIC PERFECT DOG? NO, I like that he can think, react, and has choices!

Have a great day!

Pam & Bandit

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• dog
• agility
• training
• San
• Diego
• California
• border
• collies
• Bandit
• barking
• in
• crate
• at
• to
• be
• calm
• and
• quiet
• calming
• signals
• positive
• reinforcement
• clicker
• success
• change
• emotional
• response

[cloudcally]

Give my dog that many treats and he'll poop his wits out

[pamelamarxsen]

@cloudcally They are actually not treats that I use in training, but rather DOG FOOD. :) My dogs poop the same as normal dogs. :) They get less food in a bowl than your dog probably does because they earn most of it in training. :)

[we3nmke]

Wow, great video. I especially liked how well the calming signal worked. My second dog is very reactive, and videos like yours are really appreciated.

I would type more, but he finally quit pacing the room, and laid down at my feet. Time for me to pop him a cookie. 

[pamelamarxsen]

@we3nmke That is awesome that your pup finally stopped pacing and that you gave him a cookie for calming down! I love it! I am so happy that my videos are helpful! I have been working with Bandit for about a year on his reactivity and have not had any episodes in at least 6 months. However, I keep working with him as I NEVER want him to back slide. :) Have a Merry Christmas!

[clickertrainer22]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on clicker training and behavior problems. I love watching a trainer who obviously knows what they are doing. By the way, nice use of calming signals throughout the entire process.

[pamelamarxsen]

@clickertrainer22 Thank you so much! Your comment really means a lot to me!

[dogtrainermom]

@we3nmke I hadn't caught the calming signal until I read your post and rewatched the video...Thanks for pointing that out! Very educational from all!!

[pamelamarxsen]

@bordergirlsmom A partner would help or maybe my next video on the subject will help. I am almost finished with it. Hang in there! I know how it is with these high drive want to work BC's. Nope, I do not think training ever ends, but nor do we really want it to end.... RIGHT??? I just love it!

[bordergirlsmom]

Love the video-This has been a huge thing for us...although we worked through a plan like this and the dogs now do wonderfully when I walk the course, or when they are in the car.....UNLESS...I am running or working with one of the other dogs, YIKES, Breeze has rubbed her nose on the crate until it is bleeding, they really can get over the top and VERY loud. I think I just need to get a partner to help with training while I am running, does training ever end????LOL

[LilosCrazyLife]

very nice. i was actually just about to ask you for advice on something similar to this...

Elle has a Very strong heerding drive, and her fav thing to herd is Lilo, specially when we are playing frisbee or just working on our tricks like, 8, thro the legs, jumping over my legs,into my arms, and going circles around me... i have to keep her in the yark cuase she runs and bites lilo, distracting and frustrating her, and when shes in the yard alls she does is scream, whine, and bark.... and advice